they asked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they asked for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a request made by someone for something specific. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, they asked for additional information to clarify their concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They asked for marriage.

The New York Times

They asked for identification.

The New York Times

"They asked for a future.

Independent

Then they asked for his.

The New York Times

They asked for more things.

The New York Times - Sports

"Because they asked for one.

The New York Times

They asked for snacks.

The New York Times

"They asked for money.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They ask for directions.

The New York Times

"So they ask for money".

The New York Times

"Now, they ask for whatever they like".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the context. While generally acceptable, more formal settings might benefit from synonyms like "they requested" or "they inquired about".

Common error

Avoid using "they asked for" when the antecedent of "they" is ambiguous. Always make sure it's clear who is doing the asking to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they asked for" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating a request or demand made by a group. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in conveying what someone specifically requested.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they asked for" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to report a request or demand made by a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives like "they requested" may be preferred in certain settings. Usage is widespread in news and media, and to a lesser extent in formal and business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity of the subject "they" to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, consider the tone and context to select the most appropriate phrasing for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they requested

Replaces "asked" with a more formal synonym, "requested".

they inquired about

Uses "inquired" to convey a more investigative or polite form of asking.

they put in a request for

Emphasizes the formal submission of a request.

they made a plea for

Indicates a more urgent or emotional request.

they demanded

Conveys a strong, authoritative request.

they sought

Suggests a formal or determined search and request.

they expressed a need for

Highlights the underlying requirement prompting the request.

they required

Indicates that something is essential or obligatory.

they were soliciting

Implies actively seeking or petitioning for something.

they were after

Informal way to express that they wanted something.

FAQs

What does "they asked for" mean?

The phrase "they asked for" means that a group of people made a request for something specific. It's a common way to indicate that someone has requested or demanded something.

What can I say instead of "they asked for"?

You can use alternatives like "they requested", "they inquired about", or "they demanded" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "they asked for" formal or informal?

"They asked for" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, in very formal contexts, it might be preferable to use a more formal synonym such as "they requested".

How to use "they asked for" in a sentence?

You can use "they asked for" to describe a request made by a group of people. For example, "After the presentation, they asked for additional details about the project." Ensure that the subject "they" is clearly defined.